More than 20,000 evacuated after intense wildfire in France
Over 20,000 people have been evacuated in southwestern France as an intense wildfire burns through pine forests near Bordeaux. The blaze, fueled by extreme heatwaves and climate conditions, remains difficult to control despite the efforts of hundreds of firefighters.
Why it matters
The event underscores the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires in Europe linked to climate change.
Firefighters battle the blaze using a water truck near the village of Le Porge in south-western France./Getty Images Firefighters battle the blaze using a water truck near the village of Le Porge in south-western France./Getty Images Wildfires More than 20,000 evacuated after intense wildfire in France Reception centres open to thousands of evacuees after blaze begins in pine forest 45km west of Bordeaux
Prefer the Guardian on Google More than 20,000 people, including thousands of tourists from campsites and other holiday accommodation, have been evacuated as a “particularly intense” wildfire advances on the Atlantic coast of south-west France , authorities have said.
The blaze, which began in dense pine forest near the village of Saumos about 40km (25 miles) west of Bordeaux and just north of the bay of Arcachon, a popular tourist destination, had burned 2,400 hectares (5,928 acres) in less than 24 hours, firefighters said on Thursday.
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